Train to stay

Training and development is the best way to retain top performers, according to an international survey.

The research, by financial staff recruiter Robert Half International, found 73% of the 2,300 HR and finance managers polled believed training boosted workplace retention, while 37% felt career development programmes did so. Financial rewards, selected by 31%, ranked third.

Respondents to the survey could select up to three options from a list of nine.

There were national differences: just 68% of those polled in the UK said training was the best retention carrot, compared with 83% of respondents in Germany, and 93% in Switzerland. Extra holiday was one of the least favoured retention options – nominated by 16% of respondents.

But the least favoured option was involving staff in company decision-making – selected by 13% of respondents.

The poll was carried out by telephone by research firm Heliview in October to December last year.